The Hawaiian gazette., 1887-12-06
The report was adopted.


Noble Townsend read the report OF
the committee on the claims in con-
nection with the funeral expenses OF
the Princess Likelille:
To the Hon. S G. Wilder, President of the
Legislature-Sir: Your special committee to
whom was referred the matter of certain
claims on account of goods furnished and
work done in connection With the funeral of
her late Royal Highness Princess Likelike
beg leave 10 report:
They have had the matter under cousidera-
ton, and have called in most of the people
presenting such claims, that they might
know as fully as possible the circumstances
connected with the origin of each bill. With
a very few exceptions the authority for the
bills seems to be the same, so far as we have
learned, viz: His Majesty. In most cases
the debts were contracted on the order of
Mr. F. H. Hayselden, and his orders were
honored by merchants and others because
the King had given his personal assurance
that Mr.. Hayselden had charge of the whole
matter, and his orders would be all right.
And His Majesty seems TO have represented
to them the Hawaiian Treasury. Next to
Mr. Hayselden, His Majesty's Chamberlain
seems to have been responsible for the
greatest expenditure. Besides orders given
by these gentlemen, many orders were given
by telephone from the Palace and in person
by those known TO be connected with the
Palace. Your committee believe that most,
if not all, of these bills are bona fde bills
for money actually due So far as trades
men and mechanics are concerned, these are
legitimate claims, aud ought to be paid.
But there was no authority III law for in
curing such bills in the name of the Gov
ernment, and, SO far as we can learn, those
contracting the debts never claimed any
legal authority to act in the Governments
name in the matter, though in some cases
creditors we're told that the Privy Council
without doubt would make suitable appro-
priation for paying all funeral expenses at
an early date. But we have reason to be-
lieye that no such appropriation was ever
made. Mr.. Gibson seems to have been
present at, at least, one interview with a
tradesman and the King, in which the latter
promised patronage to the former on &C
count of the funeral expenses of her late
Royal HiGhness. In all of this, however,
we do not see that there is any legal claim
whatever against the Hawaiian Government.
With the exception of a very few, all the
bills examined are simply bills against His
Majesty personally, and in the exceptional
cases noted, the bills are properly against
the persons who contracted the debts.
1t is our opinion, however, that the people
do not want their representatives in the
Assembly to take advantage of the utter
ldW4cSSuGSS VI TUE iudilLcI III huiCu AllS
affair was conducted, to throw the whole
burden of the funeral expenses upon the
King. The people have frequently shared
in the expense of burying chiefs and men,
bers of the royal family. Since the present
royal family came 10 the throne, the people
have three times helped in this melancholy
duty.
They paid 1914 81 towards the funeral of
His late Royal H:ghness Prince Leleioheku,
the lamented Heir Apparent Later they
have paid 1881 Sc for burying Princess
Kekaulike, and 1896 SO for the funeral ex-
penses of the late Queen Dowager Emma
Keleleonalani.
His Excellenoy the Minister of Interior is
anxious that we should report specifically
what bills, if any, should be paid. We have
to say that it is our opinion that essentially
all of the bills III our hands ought TO be paid.
But, as has been said, the Government does
not seem to be bound to pay any definite
sum or any particular bills. 1t does seem
especially fitting, however, that the follow
ing bills be paid by the people ~ Under
takers bill; ~ coffin plate; 80 draping
palace; IA hack hire for the day of the
funeral (5) clerk hire; 60 clerks book /;